24/08/2026
Stakeholders Gather in Yabello for High Level Workshop on Boran Cattle Genetic Improvement and Reconstitution................................................
A high-level workshop was co-organized in Yabello by the Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETin) in collaboration with Borana University and the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture (OBA). The gathering sought to foster coordinated efforts for the improvement, reconstitution, conservation, and sustainable utilization of the indigenous Boran cattle breed. The event convened key institutional partners, researchers, technical experts, senior regional and federal government officials, and representatives of local pastoralist communities...............................................
Participating bodies included representatives from BETin, the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture (OBA), the Oromia President’s Office, Borana University, the Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (OARI), the Oromia Irrigation and Pastoral Development Bureau, the Livestock Development Institute (LDI), the Borana Zone administration, and the Yabello District and Town Agriculture Offices.
The workshop provided a strategic platform to assess overall implementation progress, identify critical operational bottlenecks, and finalize a synchronized annual action plan across implementing bodies.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Befekadu Chemere, President of Borana University, noted the government's growing strategic focus on the pastoral sector and its vital contribution to the national economy and rural livelihoods.
He highlighted that Borana University continues to actively deliver outreach and capacity building programs to boost livestock productivity, reaffirming the institution's commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance pastoral livelihoods and promote the sustainable use of biodiversity resources...............................................
Mr. Jala Dulacha, Head of the Borana Zone Agriculture Office, detailed the primary challenges facing pastoral communities, particularly limited access to improved livestock genetics. He stressed that genetic improvement is essential to enhancing the productivity, climate resilience, and long-term sustainability of Boran cattle. Commending BETin for taking a leading role in the effort, Mr. Jala called for sustained institutional collaboration and long-term commitment from all partners to ensure the initiative succeeds...............................................
Delivering executive opening remarks, Dr. Hailu Dadi, Deputy Director General of BETin, emphasized the institute's dedicated focus on harnessing Ethiopia’s indigenous livestock genetic resources. He observed that despite the unique genetic attributes and vast potential of the Boran breed to transform Ethiopia’s beef industry, its overall productive capabilities remain significantly underutilized.
Dr. Hailu stressed the necessity of transitioning from fragmented, project based interventions toward a unified, sustainable, and results oriented national strategy backed by strong institutional ownership and clear accountability...............................................
Echoing these points, Dr. Asrat Tera, Director General of the Livestock Development Institute, highlighted that neighboring countries have successfully improved, promoted, and branded the Boran cattle breed. He stated that Ethiopia must urgently explore and leverage the breed's native attributes, productive potential, and market value.
Commending BETin for pioneering the genetic reconstitution initiative and showing progress on the ground, Dr. Asrat emphasized the importance of scaling up these interventions to reach broader pastoralist communities...............................................
Following the opening session, Dr. Zewdu Edea and Dr. Girma Debelle from BETin, along with Mr. Ahmed Mohamed from OBA, presented a comprehensive review of the implementation progress and key milestones achieved under the Boran Cattle Improvement and Reconstitution strategies. The presentations detailed progress in genetic reconstitution, rangeland management, infrastructure development, and community-based breeding initiatives, while identifying technical gaps requiring stronger inter-agency coordination...............................................
The subsequent interactive discussion saw participants exchange insights on institutional ownership and operational structures. Attendees stressed the importance of clearly defined institutional roles, formalizing partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), establishing active Steering and Technical Committees, coordinating joint resource mobilization, and setting measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for continuous monitoring and accountability...............................................
On technical priorities, participants agreed on the necessity of integrating genetic improvement with feed and nutrition, animal health services, and rangeland management. Priority was also given to strengthening individual breeding animal identification, pedigree recording, and digital data management systems.
To expand artificial insemination (AI) services, delegates highlighted the need to recruit additional high quality breeding bulls, scale up semen production, secure reliable liquid nitrogen supplies, train field technicians, and upgrade logistics facilities. Furthermore, the discussion emphasized expanding community based breeding schemes, increasing stakeholder awareness, and establishing an official Boran Cattle Breed Society...............................................
The event concluded with a field visit to evaluate on-farm progress under the Boran Cattle Genetic Reconstitution Project, where delegates observed tangible outcomes from ongoing breeding interventions. Participants also visited the Dida Tuyura Boran Cattle Improvement and Conservation Center to review its facilities and conservation activities.
The field visits reinforced the consensus that successful genetic reconstitution depends on delivering a fully integrated support package that includes quality feed, robust veterinary care, and modern husbandry practices.
